I have a BS degree in Mathematics. Do you think it would be "safer" if I got my teaching credential (I really don't want to) before I start homeschooling my children?

My mom has pressured me for years saying it would be safer, legally, if I got my credentials. She believes it would give me protection against people who'll try to "turn me in." *sigh* Maybe she's just a little paranoid. I really don't want to bother with it, and I *really* don't want to teach in a classroom, even if it were temporary.

Many years ago in a state which shall remain unnamed, a public school official got it into his head to try and get legislation passed which would have made homeschooling illegal under *any* circumstances, even in those where the parents were credentialed teachers. Homeschoolers in that state were on the ball and reacted quickly, and the legislator who had been approached about introducing this bill suddenly became too busy and the whole thing went away.

At any rate, don't bother. Most states already have good homeschooling laws which don't require parents to be credentialed teachers. Spend your time doing something more productive, like, you know, teaching your dc at home. And tell your mother NO. Do it sweetly, because she loves you and she's your mother, but she'll keep nagging you about it until you look her in the eyeball and tell her outright that you have no intention of working on your credential.

Married to Mr. Ellie for over 30 years
Mother to 2 dds and 2 dsil
Grandmother to 1 sweet boy
Caretaker of 2 budgies

You're in California, so all you have to do is enroll your children in an umbrella school, which takes care of the legal aspects and recordkeeping and leaves you to homeschool more or less however you want. You don't have to be an accredited teacher.